A pair of MC462 or a pair of MC611

[4music]

If loudspeakers are B&W 802D3 (possibliy 800D3) would you go with bi-amp with two stereo amps (MC462) or two monoblocks (MC611)? I would really appreciate if someone had the opportunity to hear a system with two stereo amps in bi-amp versus Mcintosh monoblocks.

[crwilli]

Can the MC462 be bi-amped? I suggest you do a little more research with your dealer or on the McIntosh site.

[SAPHANA]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Can the MC462 be bi-amped? I suggest you do a little more research with your dealer or on the McIntosh site.

I believe OP means two MC462.

In the age of MC402, people even asked more complex questions: 2 MC402 in mono mode vs. 2 MC402 bi-amp

I am also interested to know the answer to OP's question, because I am also facing similar options.

[crwilli]

I do not think you can bridge the MC462 to generate a higher wattage MONO amp. Based on the post, I assuming that is what the OP is asking.

[4music]

Thanks to all. I do not mean to bridge, actually that is not possible with the 462. So far, in my experience an amplifer used in bi-amp generates a lot of benefits soundwise. As an example MC275 on Sonus Faber Stradivari Futura sounded much better in bi-amp mode than in bridged mode.

[miketuason]

Personally I prefer a pair of 611

[1KW]

mono amps

[4music]

I am leaning more towards vertical passive bi-amp with two pairs of MC462. In that way you get complete channel separation, plus the delicate performance of the amps while one channel handles the bass and another the highs and mids (for each loudspeaker individually). The only drawback is you need one extra interconnect. Pity Mcintosh does not include a stereo/bi-amp switch on their amplifiers such as Accuphase does.

[dixon007]

There may be another option. I understand that on the 611 (and 1.25kW), because of the autoformers, one can use each mono unit to bi-amp each speaker by placing individual speaker wires on the 8 ohm and 4 ohm terminals and connecting to the respective bass (lower) and mid/treble (upper) speaker terminals. AAer’s do I have that wrong? Good luck with your decision.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by dixon007

There may be another option. I understand that on the 611 (and 1.25kW), because of the autoformers, one can use each mono unit to bi-amp each speaker by placing individual speaker wires on the 8 ohm and 4 ohm terminals and connecting to the respective bass (lower) and mid/treble (upper) speaker terminals. AAer’s do I have that wrong? Good luck with your decision.

That is correct. That can also be done with one MC462 and offers the option to save some $. To my mind, I feel the best choices are 2 x MC611s or 1 x MC462. Up to the budget.